Apparatus for transfer of liquids

ABSTRACT

APPARATUS FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING LIQUID BETWEEN A STORAGE TANK AND A BULK LIQUID CARRIER HAS AT LEAST TWO CONDUIT ASSEMBLIES, EACH DEFINING A SEPARATE CONDUIT PATH, MOUNTED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE SPACED RELATIONSHIP AND NORMALLY EXTENDING IN A VERTICAL PLANE. EACH CONDUIT ASSEMBLY IS FORMED FROM A SERIES OF CONNECTED FLEXIBLE AND RIGID TUBULAR SECTIONS WHICH DEFINE A BOOM SECTION THAT CAN BE SWIVELED ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS AND CAN BE PIVOTED ABOUT A HORIZOTAL AXIS. THE ASSEMBLIES ARE BALANCED TO MAINTAIN A FLEXIBLE HOSE HAVING AN END FITTING FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE BULK CARRIER SUSPENDED NORMALLY VERTICALLY BUT CAN BE SWIVELED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER SO AS TO CROSS OVER ONE ANOTHER.

United States Patent 1,549,770 8/1925 Holmes 137/615X 1,621,905 3/1927Russell Primary Examiner-William R. Cline Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds,Morton, Taylor and Adams ABSTRACT: Apparatus for loading or unloadingliquid between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier has at least twoconduit assemblies, each defining a separate conduit path, mounted inside-by-side spaced relationship and normally extending in a verticalplane. Each conduit assembly is formed from a series of connectedflexible and rigid tubular sections which define a boom section that canbe swiveled about a vertical axis and can be pivoted about a horizontalaxis. The assemblies are balanced to maintain a flexible hose having anend fitting for attachment to the bulk carrier suspended normallyvertically but can be moved up or down by application of a small forceand can be swiveled relative to each other so as to cross over oneanother.

PATENTED JUN28|97| 3,587,643

' sum 3 or 2 INVENTORS m WILLIAM T. BAHR JOSEPH D. BAKSTIS E- 2%, ll vATTORNEYS This invention relates to apparatus for; transferring fluidsbetween a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier.

In the filling of tank trucks which aresued to transport largequantities of fuel to various destinations, it becomes highly desirableto provide a fuel loading system which will rapidly fill the tank withthe desired fuel. In order to achieve maximum efficiency such a systemmust be easily maneuverable by a single operator with little or noeffort so that proper connections can be made between the fuelingassembly and the tank inlet ports.

The inlet ports on such tank trucks have in the past been locatedgenerally on the top of the tank thus requiring that the operator climbonto the upper surface of the tank in order to effect the desiredconnection. This is highly undesirable especially from the standpoint ofpossible accident to the operator if he should fall from the uppersurface of the tank. In addition there are the hazards of inhalingliquid fumes, where the liquid is gasoline or some other toxic liquid.

The danger of fire is also at a peak in a top loading system v since anyoverflow from'the tank or leakage from the fuel lines will necessarilyspill out over the body of the tank and truck. A spark when the truck isunderway at high speeds or during loading could cause an explosionresulting in serious consequences.

Therefore, in recent times there has been a trend towards developingbottom loading systems for such tanks. In such a system, the operatorcan remain on the ground thus eliminating accidents due to falls.Leakage or losses incidental to filling spill out over the ground onlyand not over the tank or the truck itself, thus eliminating the dangerdue to explosion when the truck is underway. Moreover, such a system isselfgrounding thus eliminating the need for a separate grounding cable.Also, such a system can be easily vented so that no productfumes escapeto the surrounding atmosphere.

It should be noted that here are other problems associated with a bottomloading system such as avoiding excessive pressure buildup in the tank,determining when the tank is filled to the proper level, providing avalved nozzle mechanism which can be easily and quickly connnected tothe inlet ports of the tank, and providing such a nozzle with a valvemechanism which is manually operated when filling has been completed.These problems can be overcome by the use of various wellknown devicesand, accordingly, are not within the scope of this invention.

This invention provides a new and useful apparatus which will accomplishthe advantages inherent in a bottom loading system. Other advantages ofthis invention not heretofore more particularly enumerated will beexplained and understood from the following detailed description of thesame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an apparatus for loading orunloading liquid between a storage tank and a bulk liquid carrier. Theapparatus comprises at least two conduit assemblies mounted inside-by-side spaced relationship which normally extend in a verticalplane. Each conduit assembly defines a separate conduit path and isformed from a series of connected flexible and rigid tubular sections;one end of each assembly is provided with a fitting for attachment to abulk liquid carrier and the other end of the conduit assembly isconnected to a storage tank. Each conduit assembly includes a rigid boomsection mounted to swivel on a vertical axis and a flexible hose sectiondepending from the boom section and interconnecting said fitting topermit adjacent assemblies to cross over one another respectively. Pivotmeans are mounted in the assembly to allow the assembly to pivot about ahorizontal axis and means are provided to load the boom section againstpivoting about its horizontal axis until an external force is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of oneembodiment of the apparatus of the invention shown connected to a bulkcarrier;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing also a secondembodiment of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a.third embodiment ofapparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the preferred embodiments,the apparatus is designed for loading fuel to the bottom of fuel tanktrucks and consists of two -flexible liquid conveying conduitassemblies, indicated generally at 10 and 11, wherein one conduitassembly is located adjacent to the other, side-by-side and normallyextending in a vertical plane. One end of each assembly is connected toa fuel storage tank 13 and the other end being connectable by an endfitting 14 to a tank truck 15. Each conduit assembly defines a conduitpath comprised of a first section 16 defined generally by a flexiblemetal hose 17 and boom section 18 defined by a rigid horizontal pipeconnector 19 and a vertical pipe assembly 20. As shown in FIG. 1 in theequilibrium or rest position, the outlet ends of all conduit assembliesare suspended at substantially equal distances above the ground. Thetank truck 15 is shown schematically with one set of the truck wheelsbeing shown in order to indicate the relative position of the tank truckto each bottom loading conduit assembly. As will be seen the tank truckcan be compartmentalized to carry several different products all ofwhich can be accommodated by the assembly of the invention.

The first section of each conduit assembly comprises a verticallysuspended flexible metal hose 17, located immediately adjacent to thetank truck 15 to be filled, at one end of which is provided a fitting,here a manually operable quick-connect valved nozzle 14. The nozzle 14is so constructed as to be easily engageable with an inlet port locatedon the bottom of tank truck 15. The nozzle 14 is provided with eitherautomatic or manual valve mechanisms. The particular configuration ofthe quick-connect nozzle 14 is shown in the drawings as having a elbowconstruction and is rotatable 360 in the horizontal plane.

The other end of the flexible hose 17 is provided with a rigid extensiontube 21 which is connected by a first elbow joint 22 to a first rigidhorizontally extending pipe connector 19. The horizontal pipe connector19 includes a universal joint 23 which permits pivoting in a verticalplane about a horizontal axis and limited swiveling about a verticalaxis taken substantially at the center of the universal joint. Theuniversal joint 23 is located off center adjacent the length of therigid horizontal pipe connector 19 and connects one part of said pipeconnector to another part of said pipe connector. The universal joint 23imparts added flexibility to each conduit assembly by permitting theflexible metal hose, and thus the end fitting, to be moved upwardly ordownwardly to compensate for variations in the height of the receptacleon the truck.

A second elbow joint 24 connects the other end of the rigid pipeconnector 19 to a vertically extending pipe assembly 20 to define theboom section of the assembly. The vertical pipe assembly 20 includes avertical pipe 25, two right angle elbow joints 26 and 27 which arejoined by a short horizontal pipe 28, another elbow joint 29, a secondshort horizontal pipe section 29a joining elbow joints 29 and 27, and ashort vertical pipe section 30, which is connected to the storage tank13 and has a flange connector 300 located thereon. While the connectionfrom the vertical pipe 25 has been described in some detail it is to beunderstood that any other suitable arrangement can be made forconnection to the storage tank; for example the storage tank may belocated a great distance from the loading station and may be interruptedby pumps, valves and the like.

Counterweights 31 are mounted on one end of a horizontal bar 32 which isattached at the other end to vertical supports 33 which are in turnsecurely attached to the horizontal rigid pipe connector 19 at a pointimmediately adjacent to the universal joint 23 on the outlet side of theassembly. The horizontal bar 32 extends beyond the universal joint 23 ofeach conduit assembly in order to give the desired counterbalancingeffect. The supports 33 used to attach the counterweight 31 to thehorizontal pipe connector 19 can be secured to said pipe connectors byany suitable means. The counterweight 31 is shown in the drawings asbeing constructed with a plurality of circular discs 34; however, anyother suitable object or objects can be utilized. It is also proposedthat the desired effect can be realized by otherwise counterbalancingthe horizontal pipe connector 19, as for instance by spring loading. Asshown the horizontal pipe connector 19 is shown in a truly horizontalplane; in practice however it is often preferred that the horizontalpipe be located at an angle out of a horizontal plane with the elbowjoint 22 higher than elbow joint 24.

The position of each conduit assembly relative to the adjacent conduitassembly is important. The relative position of each conduit assembly inthe manner contemplated by this invention permits two or more conduitassemblies to cross over and under each other respectively. This featureimparts several distinct advantages to the fuel loading systemcontemplated by this invention. Following is a detailed description ofsuch positioning indicating also the manner in which such positioning isaccomplished.

In order to provide sufficient clearance for adjacent conduit assembliesto cross over and under each other, the corresponding sections ofadjacent conduit assemblies can be of slightly different lengths. Asshown in FIG. 1 varying the lengths or corresponding sections ofadjacent conduit assemblies results in one conduit assembly beinglocated outwardly in said radial direction from the adjacent conduitassembly, thus defining an outer and inner conduit assembly.Specifically, the vertical pipe assembly 20, the rigid horizontal pipeconnector 19, and the rigid extension tube 21 of the outer conduitassembly are longer than corresponding members of the inner conduitassembly. The flexible hoses 17 of the inner and outer conduitassemblies are of equal lengths. This relationship insures that thehorizontal pipe connector 19 of the outer conduit assembly will bepositioned above the corresponding horizontal pipe connector 19' of theinner conduit assembly in said radial direction. Also, the first section16 of the outer conduit assembly will be located outwardly in saidradial direction from the said first section of the inner conduitassembly 16. While the horizontal pipe connectors 19 have been describedas being of different lengths, it is emphasized that due to theflexiblity of movement achieved with the assembly they can be of thesame length and the same relative movements will be permitted providedthe vertical pipe connectors 20 and 20' are of different heights.

In connection with the feature of having adjacent conduit assembliescross over each other, the particular orientation and placement of thecounterweights becomes important. The supports 33 of the inner and outerconduit assemblies are so positioned relative to each other as toprevent interference between counterweights 31 and 31 of the outer andinner conduit assemblies as they are crossed over one another. In theembodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, counterweight 31 isattached to the outer conduit assembly by spaced supports 33 whichproject vertically upward from the horizontal rigid pipe connector 19.The supports 33 which support the counterweights 31 attached thehorizontal rigid pipe connector 19' of the inner conduit assembly extendin a parallel space relationship with the horizontal pipe connector 19'.This arrangement avoids interference between the counterweightsupporting bar 32' of the innner conduit assembly and the correspondingsupporting bar 32 .of the adjacent outer conduit assembly. Analternative placement of such support 33 can be accomplished by havingsuch support project horizontally from the horizontal rigid pipeconnector 19.

Furthermore, in order to assure that there will be no interferencebetween the counterweight 31' of the inner conduit assembly with therigid vertical pipe 25 of the adjacent outer conduit assembly as therespective conduit assemblies are swung to various lateral positions,the vertical rigid pipe 25' of the inner conduit assembly is spacedlaterally from the rigid vertical pipe 25 of the adjacent outer conduitassembly a sufficient distance to prevent such interference. Morespecifically, the distance which the counterweight 31 of the innerconduit assembly extends beyond the rigid vertical pipe 25 is less thanthe distance defined by the separation between the rigid vertical pipes25 and 25' of the outer and inner conduit assemblies.

It is also to be noted that with all the flexibility of movementdesigned into these assemblies, the flexible hoses l7 and 17' areessential to finally making easy connections with the tank truck andmake up for any limitations inherent in the flexibility of theparticular assembly.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment which is considered at present to be themost commercially practical. Instead of relying solely on a universaljoint as in FIG. 1, a swivel fitting assembly 35' is provided on thevertical pipe assembly 20' to permit each assembly to rotate about avertical axis defined by the vertical rigid pipes, through about 360.Also a different hinge joint 36 is substituted for the universal joint;this hinge joint permits pivoting about a horizontal axis in essentiallyone vertical plane. In all other respects the assembly of FIG. 2 isessentially the same as FIG. 1, and all the flexibility of movementdescribed above is therefore realized in this embodiment as well.Finally supports 37 and 38 for attaching counterweights are positionedto extend rods 39 and 40 beneath the horizontal pipe 19, andcounterweights 41 and 42 hanging from these rods encompass but arespaced from the horizontal pipes.

Referring to FIG. 3 a different type of hinge joint 44 posii mounted. Asecond flange 49 is mounted on the other conduit assembly and positionsa rod 50 and counterweights 51 above counterweights 48 so as not tointerfere with the movement of the conduit assemblies relative to eachother as described with respect to the first embodiment.

Owing to the use in each conduit assembly of the flexible metal hose,hinge joint, and swivel assembly, each individual conduit assembly isprovided with great flexibility. Each such conduit assembly can be movedin various planes including adjusting it to varying heights and swingingit arcuately to various lateral positions corresponding to differentlocations of the tank truck, settling of the truck on its springs whenit is being loaded, variation in the location of the receptacle fromtruck to truck, and to permit connecting any one hose to several truckreceptacles sequentially without moving the truck. Thus, the fuelloading system of this invention can adapt very easily to misalignmentof the tank truck with the nozzle of the conduit assembly.

Finally, the counterweights on each individual conduit assembly serve tohold the flexible metal hose in a substantially vertical position and tocounterbalance the weight of the entire conduit assembly when theoperator lifts the quick-connect nozzle for attachment to the fueltanks.

While we have described particular embodiments of our invention inconnection with bottom loading system for tank trucks, it is to beunderstood that such a system can be used for fluid transfer operationsin connection with other applications such as barge loading andunloading, airplane fueling,

etc.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for loading or unloading liquid between a storage tank anda bulk liquid carrier comprising at least two conduit assemblies mountedin side-by-side spaced relationship normally extending in a verticalplane; each conduit assembly defining a separate conduit path and formedfrom a series of connected flexible and rigid tubular sections, one endof each assembly being provided with a fitting for attachment to a bulkliquid carrier and the other end of the conduit as sembly beingconnected to a source of liquid, each conduit assembly including a rigidboom section mounted to swivel on a vertical axis and a flexible hosesection depending from the boom section and interconnecting said fittingsaid flexible hose sections and said rigid boom sections being soconfigured and arranged as to permit adjacent assemblies to cross,overand under one another respectively; pivot means mounted in the rigidboom section to allow a portion of the boom to pivot about a horizontalaxis; and means for loading said boom section against pivoting about thehorizontal axis until an external force is applied.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for loading saidboom is a counterweight for counterbalancing the weight of each conduitassembly.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each conduit assembly iscomprised of a suspended flexible hose defining a first section of theconduit path, one end of which is connected to the fitting and the otherend of which is provided with a rigid extension tube; a boom sectioncomprising two rigid tubular members on either side of the pivot meansconnected to the extension tube and extending substantially horizontalin its equilibrium condition and defining a second section of theconduit path and a rigid upright tubular member connected to thehorizontal tubular member and defining a third section of the conduitpath.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a swivel fitting is providedin said third section to permit the assembly to swivel on a verticalaxis,

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of the horizontal tubularsections of adjacent assemblies extend at different vertical heights soas to permit one to swing over the other.

6. ln apparatus for loading or unloading liquid between a storage tankand a bulk liquid carrier, the improvement in a conduit assemblydefining a conduit path for liquids comprising a first section definedin part by a flexible metal hose and suspended substantially verticallyfrom a boom section with a fitting on the lowermost end of the firstsection which is capable of connection to a bulk carrier; said boomsection being comprised of a rigid tubular member connected to the firstsection and extending substantially horizontally in its equilibriumcondition and a rigid upright tubular member connected to and supportingthe horizontal tubular member, a swivel joint provided in the uprighttubular member to permit the boom section to swivel on a vertical axis;a pivot joint mounted in said boom section to allow the assembly topivot about a horizontal axis; and means for loading said boom sectionagainst pivoting downwardly about the horizontal axis to hold the firstsection suspended in a substantially vertical plane against downwardmovement which loading means has its center of gravity adjacent theupright tubular member.

